Raghavendra Rajkumar

Raghavendra Rajkumar
Raghavendra Rajkumar in late 90s
Born (1965-08-15) 15 August 1965
Madras, Madras State (now in Tamil Nadu), India
Other nameRaganna[1]
OccupationsActor, dancer, film producer, playback singer
Years active1974–present
SpouseMangala
ChildrenVinay Rajkumar, Yuva Rajkumar
Parent(s)Dr. Rajkumar (father)
Parvathamma (mother)
RelativesSee Rajkumar family

Raghavendra Rajkumar (born 15 August 1965) is an Indian actor, singer and producer of Kannada cinema. He is the son of actor Dr. Rajkumar and film producer Parvathamma Rajkumar. He made his debut as a lead in the film Chiranjeevi Sudhakar (1988) before appearing in the successful 1989 film Nanjundi Kalyana. He went on to star in films such as Gajapathi Garvabhanga (1989), Anukoolakkobba Ganda (1990), and Geluvina Saradaara (1996).[2] His last prominent film was Upendra's Swasthik (1998), a box office failure. He starred in Pakkadmane Hudugi (2004) before taking a fifteen-year sabbatical from acting.[3] Since then he has produced television serials under Poornima Productions and films under Sri Vajreshwari Combines.[2]

His comeback film as a villain, Chillum, was dropped.[4] In 2019, when he went to act in a lead role in the movie Ammana Mane, the Prime Minister of Singapore heard about it and watched the movie.[5]

Career

1980s: Lead debut and breakthrough

After years behind the scenes, Raghavendra made his debut as a lead actor in Chiranjeevi Sudhakar (1988). His real breakthrough came with the romantic comedy Nanjundi Kalyana (1989), which became a superhit and established him as a bankable star. The same year, he starred in Gajapathi Garvabhanga, further cementing his popularity. These films showcased his ability to handle light-hearted roles with ease, and he often collaborated with directors like M. S. Rajashekar and co-stars such as Malashri, Shruti and Ananth Nag.

1990s: Success and stardom

The 1990s marked Raghavendra’s most prolific phase. He delivered a string of successful films, including Anukoolakkobba Ganda (1990) – A family entertainer, Kalyana Mantapa (1991) and Bharjari Gandu (1992): both romantic dramas. Anuragada Alegalu (1993) and Navibbaru Namagibbaru (1993) that showcased his comic timing, Geluvina Saradara (1996) and Sutradhara (1996) earned praise for emotional depth.

He also experimented with thrillers like Swasthik (1998), directed by Upendra, though it was a box-office failure despite critical appreciation for its bold narrative. His collaborations during this decade included directors like Relangi Narasimha Rao and Singeetham Srinivasa Rao.

2000s: Transition to production

After Tuvvi Tuvvi Tuvvi (1999) and Pakkadmane Hudugi (2004), Raghavendra gradually stepped away from acting to focus on production under Sri Vajreshwari Combines, assisting his mother Parvathamma Rajkumar. He managed major projects featuring his brothers Shiva Rajkumar and Puneeth Rajkumar, such as Vamshi (2008), Aakash, and Yaare Koogadali (2012). He also produced television serials under Poornima Productions, marking his successful transition to a behind-the-scenes role.

2010s-present: Comeback and character roles

After a 15-year hiatus, Raghavendra returned to acting with Ammana Mane (2019), a family drama that earned him the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor. He followed this with Thrayambakam (2019), showcasing his ability to handle mature, layered characters. His comeback was widely appreciated for its emotional authenticity and simplicity.

In recent years, Raghavendra has appeared in supporting and character roles in films like Rajatantra (2021), Pogaru (2021), James, and Raaji (2022). He continues to be involved in production and occasionally lends his voice as a playback singer.

Personal life

From (L to R) Ravi Srivatsa, Shiva Rajkumar, Parvathamma Rajkumar, Puneeth Rajkumar, Raghavendra Rajkumar

Raghavendra Rajkumar was born on 15 August 1965 in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, to legendary Kannada actor Dr. Rajkumar and film producer Parvathamma Rajkumar. He is the second son in the Rajkumar family, with elder brother Shiva Rajkumar and younger brother Puneeth Rajkumar, both prominent actors in Kannada cinema.[6][7] His sons Vinay Rajkumar and Yuva Rajkumar are both actors.[8] He also has two sisters, Poornima and Lakshmi. The family is deeply rooted in Karnataka’s cultural and cinematic heritage, and Raghavendra was named after Raghavendra Swami, reflecting his parents’ devotion.

Raghavendra married Mangala, and the couple has two sons: Vinay Rajkumar and Yuva Rajkumar, both actors continuing the family legacy. Known for his humility and strong family values, Raghavendra has maintained a low profile compared to his brothers, focusing on production and occasional acting. In 2013, he suffered a severe stroke while in Singapore, which led to prolonged physiotherapy and rehabilitation.[9] He has undergone physiotherapy treatment.[10] In December 2013, he had become victim of death hoax which was proven to be false.[11] Despite health challenges, he made a successful comeback to acting with Ammana Mane (2019).

Filmography

As actor

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Role(s) Notes Ref.
1974Sri Srinivasa KalyanaChild artist[1]
1975Daari Tappida MagaKittyChild artist
1988Chiranjeevi SudhakarSudhakarLead debut[12]
1989Nanjundi KalyanaRaghuchandra[13]
Gajapathi GarvabhangaKishore
1990Aasegobba MeesegobbaRaghu Cameo appearance[14]
Anukoolakkobba GandaBrahmachari
1991Kalyana MantapaShankara
1992Bharjari GanduGopi
1993Anuragada AlegaluPriyadarshan
Navibbaru NamagibbaruChandruDual role
1994Sagara DeepaKumar
1995Aata HudugataRaj
Nishchithartha
1996Shreemathi KalyanaAnand
Geluvina SaradaaraSeethapathi
Ibbara Naduve Muddina Aata
SutradharaRavindra
1997ShivaranjaniShiva
1998SwasthikGuru[15]
1999Tuvvi Tuvvi TuvviKumar[16]
2004Pakkadmane HudugiBalu[3][17]
2019 Ammana Mane RajeevaKarnataka State Film Award for Best Actor [18][19]
Thrayambakam Shiva Rudraiah [20]
2021 Rajatantra Captain Rajaram [21]
Pogaru Shiva's guru [22]
2022 Raaji
James Santosh's Ashrama Guru Cameo appearance [23]
2024RangasamudraPhilanthropist[24]
Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe Music teacher Guest appearance
Pepe Bagappa Cameo appearance
2025Kanna Mucche Kaade Goode
Kamaro2Arya's father
TBA Aadisidaatha†TBA Delayed [25]

As singer

Year Film Song(s) Composer(s) Notes
1989 Nanjundi Kalyana "Nijava Nudiyale", "Hosa Premadalli" Upendra Kumar
1990 Gajapathi Garvabhanga All songs except "Jataka Kudure"
Anukoolakkobba Ganda All songs
1991Kalyana Mantapa All songs except "Ombathu Ombathu"
1993Anuragada Alegalu All songs except "Jeeva Kogile" Hamsalekha
1995Aata Hudugaata All songs Sadhu Kokila
2019Ammana Mane All songs Sameer Kulakarani

As producer

Film

Film Notes
1987 Shruthi Seridaaga
1989 Inspector Vikram
2010 Jackie
2012 Anna Bond
2012 Yaare Koogadali
2016 Run Antony

Television

Year Title Notes
2019 Marali Bandalu Seethe
2020 Jeeva Hoovagide [26]

References

  1. 1 2 "Raghavendra Rajkumar's 25th to be a thriller". 26 March 2019. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Raghavendra Rajkumar back to acting". Viggy. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  3. 1 2 Kalpana. "Pakkadmane Hudugi". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 26 December 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. ↑ Sebastian R., Shilpa (6 September 2018). "Time to stop and think". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  5. ↑ "Raghavendra Rajkumar: I thank God for the stroke". Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  6. ↑ "My father was passionate about cars". The Hindu. 11 September 2018. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  7. ↑ "Shivanna and Puneeth Rajkumar promote 'Rajatantra'". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  8. ↑ K, B. (5 April 2016). "Vinay Rajkumar: On the run". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 April 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  9. ↑ "Raghavendra Rajkumar hospitalised". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  10. ↑ C. George, Nina (5 March 2019). "Stroke showed me new world". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  11. ↑ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/raghavendra-rajkumars-singapore-sojourn-for-health-check-up/articleshow/27240338.cms
  12. ↑ "Teaser of Aadisidatta to be released on August 22". The Times of India. 14 August 2020. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  13. ↑ "Nanjundi Kalyana". Deccan Chronicle. 13 September 2017. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  14. ↑ Manjula (22 February 2021). "Raghavendra Rajkumar Recuperating, Will Resume Movie Shoot Soon". The Hans India. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  15. ↑ "'The Terrorist' review: Ragini Dwivedi's low intensity thriller fails to engage". The News Minute. 18 October 2018. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  16. ↑ Raghuram, Jyothi (28 February 1999). "Tuvvi Tuvvi Tuvvi". The Hindu. Retrieved 7 June 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  17. ↑ "Song canned for Pakkadmane Hudugi". Screen. 30 July 2004. Archived from the original on 4 August 2004. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  18. ↑ R., Shilpa Sebastian (13 November 2018). "Of homes and hearts". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  19. ↑ "'Ammana Mane' review: Raghavendra Rajkumar shines in this slow-paced family drama". 8 March 2019. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  20. ↑ "Tryambakam movie review: Quite a boring affair indeed". Bangalore Mirror. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  21. ↑ "Rajatantra Movie Review: An amateur attempt spoils a good storyline". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  22. ↑ "Raghavendra Rajkumar to play a major role in 'Pogaru'?". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  23. ↑ "Brothes Shivarajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar play cameos in Puneeth Rajkumar's James". Cinema Express. 21 January 2022. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  24. ↑ "Rangasamudra Movie Review: On the significance of being educated". Bangalore Mirror.
  25. ↑ "Raghavendra Rajkumar's 25th film 'Aadisidaatha' is a thriller". The News Minute. 28 March 2019. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  26. ↑ "Kannada daily soap Jeeva Hoovagide completes 250 episodes". The Times of India. 21 January 2021. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.